Boy Scout
Troop 653

Bakerstown, Pennsylvania

Troop 653 Eagle Scout Page

Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Chris Porter and Paul Burkhart

On March 14, 2009 Troop 653 held an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for our two newest Eagle Scouts, Chris Porter and Paul Burkhart. A number of former scouts, Eagle Scouts, parents, leaders and former Scoutmasters were in attendance. Included in the guests on hand was State Representative Mike Turzai. Mr. Turzai congratulated Chris and Paul on their accomplishments and wished them well in their future endeavors.  


         Chris Porter, Rep. Turzai, Paul Burkhart




Listening to the Voice of The Eagle

                    
                                       Several Troop 653 Eagle Scouts spoke at the ceremony



                                  

                                   Senior Patrol Leader Chris Bloom leads the ceremony

           

"Duty to God"    
Rev. Stoops from the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown
addressesthe Eagle Scouts

                  
                                         Eagle Scout Paul Burkhart

                
                                      Eagle Scout Chris Porter

           
A family of Eagles
Jamie, Judson Sr., Judson Jr., Judson III and Chris Porter

 

 

 

Chris Porter's Eagle Scout Project

On October 3, 4 and 11, 2008 the members of Troop 653 came together to help Chris Porter complete his Eagle Scout Project.

The project was to replace a makeshift bridge near the Latodami Nature Center in North Park. The existing bridge was little more than three old railroad ties spanning the creek. The area around the bridge was in some disrepair as well. Below are several of the improvements in the area including the progress of the bridge building.


The original bridge


The remnants of the trail grown over.


Several planks from old picnic tables were re-purposed as bridge decking.


Trees used for the span of the bridge


Moving the logs into the area.


Preparing the site. Mr. Gapsky has clearly spent too much time in the sun.


Placing the beams in place for the span of the bridge.


The main structure of the bridge.


Preparing the planking for the bridge.


Building the railings for the bridge.


First railing in place.


Bridge coming together.

One of the other improvements in the area of the bridge was moving a Willow Oak tree from a remote area to the open area near one end of the bridge.


Tree being removed from original site.


"Towing" the tree to its new home.


Structural support for the bridge railings.


Kevin and Nate checking the structure of the railings.


The finished product.


The Willow Oak in its new home.


The bridge gets its first customers.



Chris Porter with the new bridge.

 

 

 

Paul Burkhart's Eagle Project

On December 15th, 2007 the younger boys in the Troop were able help Paul Burkhart finish his Eagle Scout project. After a number of weeks of helping Paul assemble the birdhouses, the Troop took to the fields around the Nature Center at North Park and set some 15 birdhouses.

Ready to get underway



Hammering in the pipes



Ready to set the birdhouse in place



Setting and pointing the birdhouse



The finished product